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Health & Safety

STEP Program

The US State Department has put together important information specifically for students going abroad. Please take a moment to browse the Students Abroad site to read up on information ranging from what kinds of travel documents you will need to how to stay health to driving abroad and much more!

If you are going on a Hamline faculty led program, the GEC will enroll you prior to departure.

Medications/Vaccines

It is always a good idea to consult with your doctor before going abroad. Hamline University also strongly recommends that all students going abroad complete a travel medicine consultation prior to departure.

To schedule a consultation, Hamline has a partnership with the Health Partners Travel Clinic; Health Partners has two sites with travel specialties in the metro area - one just off of Phalen Boulevard in Saint Paul and one in St. Louis Park. The telephone number to make an appointment at Health Partners location is 952-967-7978.

Though Health Partners is recommended for travel medicine consultation, students may also visit an International Travel Health Facility approved by the State of MN . The Ramsey County Department of Public Health also provides travel consultations.

If you need to bring prescription medicine into another country, please plan ahead and work with your local doctor and insurance company.

Check country laws and limits on prescription drugs.

Obtain dose and prescription information from your doctor in a signed letter–keep the medications in their ORIGINAL bottles.

Check with your program official or the GEC if you need special accommodations or assistance with your prescriptions.

ALWAYS have your medications (and documents) in your carry on bag.

Safety Tips

Make sure you are aware of yourself and your surroundings. This doesn’t mean be on guard at all times, but take a moment when going to new locations that you have all your belongings, have your emergency contacts on you, and know when/where you are expected to be next.

As much as possible, go in groups when adventuring around town and especially if you go out at night! And share your travel plans with others- this can be other students, staff, or family back at home.

Hamline’s Student Code of Conduct still applies while on your program! Make sure to follow these rules AND those of your host location! All infractions will be reported to Hamline University and student can be expelled from the program and/or face consequences back home.

Substances Abroad

Enjoy your time abroad, but do so responsibly. Follow all country rules, as well as Hamline’s and the program’s.

Know your limits and always watch your drinks. Some drinks can have a different potency in other countries. Public drunkenness might not be acceptable, and get you into a lot of trouble with locals.

Remember: most accidents and crimes occur abroad while the individual was intoxicated. Don’t be that person!

“Nothing good ever happens alone after 2 a.m.–just go to bed!”

Drugs:

DO NOT DO illegal drugs!

DO NOT cross borders with drugs that are legal in one country and not the other!

Being foreign is not an excuse and consequences can be severe.

Sexual Health & Safety

Different countries have different norms when it comes to flirting, dating, and sexual encounters.

Please exercise caution when engaging in any relationships abroad. Condoms and contraceptives may not be available in all areas, and the definition of consent can also be more complex.

Be clear and assertive with your consent or non-consent.

Sexual Assault = any sexual activity that is lacking consent.

If you experience anything that is against your consent, there are resources for you to utilize. Know that you are not to blame and that seeking help from your program’s staff will be the first and best method for getting justice in your location.

For more information about Health and Safety, see the Student Handbook! (LINK)

Insurance

Hamline provides coverage for all students going international through Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators (EIIA); students will need to maintain their domestic health insurance while abroad.

This insurance should be considered emergency insurance; it will not cover routine medical/dental procedures. There is a $250 deductible for any services rendered; that means that students will be responsible for the first $250 worth of charges at a doctor’s office or clinic, and the insurance company will be responsible for charges covered under the policy after that.

HOWEVER, unless contact is made with the insurance company, who can refer a doctor that will accept the insurance up front and start a case number with the insurance company before entering the clinic/hospital, the hospital bill may need to be paid out of pocket and then a claim for reimbursement from the insurance company must be submitted.

Except in the case of severe emergency, students should contact the Hamline International and Off-Campus Programs Office before seeking medical attention. In the case of severe emergency, students should seek attention immediately and contact the office when able.

It is also important to note that this insurance will cover the foreign hospital bills and the evacuation from the host country for students who fall ill and need to return home during the course of an international program, but that coverage will switch over to the student’s primary insurance upon arrival in the United States. The insurance also covers repatriation.

Depending on your program, especially for non-Hamline built ones, you may also have the program’s required insurance. Please contact your program for more details.

Travel Insurance: When purchasing airfare for your program, most airlines offer “Trip Interruption” and additional emergency insurance. These are provided by insurance companies and vary in coverage and cost. The GEC does recommend purchasing some kind of insurance for your flights. It is not mandatory, but could help you change a flight date easier than without it.

In an Emergency

Things can happen anywhere- being away can add to the situation, so remember this chain of communication if an emergency happens:

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other regulations prohibit the Global Engagement Center from releasing your educational records unless you agree to release the information. Other than in limited cases, including health or safety emergencies, the Global Engagement Center needs this release to inform your family or emergency contact regarding your participation in this program.

If you wish to grant access to your study away protected information to other parties, please complete the form and return it to the GEC.